my serial number plate has nothing left on it save for the stamped serial number and RPM. # 119306 putting it at the end of 1950. casting codes indicate mid november casting (trans, torque tube, final drive) but the radiator support indicates a 'B' 1956 code.
so the serial number tag must have changed at some point long ago (1950 serial number on a 1956 support).

i wanted to be sure that i got the correct tag style from OEM, so i started checking a few things.

the existing tag is a new style tag determined solely by the position of the serial number.
my '48 cub #43296 has the old style tag.
and Guy Fay's letter series book showing 'the first cub' driven by an IH exec (and i immediately assumed to be #501) has NO serial tag or discernable rivit holes!

Before i get an incorrect tag style, at what serial number did the style change?
And how come #501 is not sporting a tag

If you have access to the Letourneau book "Farmall Cub Photo Archive", you'll see that many of the Cubs shown don't have tags... including the first production one, as shown on page 11. Some of the tractors shown may have been pre-production prototypes, but #501? Maybe its' tag is mounted elsewhere? Just a guess.

The page 11 picture looks to me too like there is some masking still over the plate. That book has a very high percentage of pre-production tractor pictures. Looking through it just now, virtually every one I noticed with no plate could be confirmed as a pe-production tractor.

I have a pictue of a '49 tag (early style) and a '51 (later style). Chances are very high that you have the original plate and somebody went to the trouble of moving it to a new replacement casting.

I know where serial number 501 Cub is and if you like I will go over and take a picture of it .
Mike

30 + tractors including 2 French Super Cubs, French Cubs, 1963 Industrial Cub, 1955 Cub Highcrop etc...German and French built IH tractors and some bigger IH tractors. Of course I have about 20 IH trucks and an IH refridge in the Shop.

The serial number plate was put on after the tractor was painted.
So they would not of masked off.
Mike

30 + tractors including 2 French Super Cubs, French Cubs, 1963 Industrial Cub, 1955 Cub Highcrop etc...German and French built IH tractors and some bigger IH tractors. Of course I have about 20 IH trucks and an IH refridge in the Shop.

Thanks, all.
Jim, you answered my question. given the 1956 casting code on the rad support, i was wondering if a new # tag was installed at the same time. but if a 51 carried the 'new' style, then i'm pretty safe in using it on my late 50.
any demo tractors out there using the newer style?

i wasn't thinking about pre production units as i was looking through photos, and of course, adding the tag after makes sense. that's what i'll do.
Mike, i knew 501 was around someplace, a current picture sometime might be of interest to all.

Binder Books was kind enough (in exchange for my VISA# ) a copy of Guy's new number series book. Left my truck unlocked, but I don't live in Swissconsin

RPM change to rated 1800 was in early 1956., according to Guy.

my existing SN tag, mounted on a 1956 rad support, says 1800. So, i gather from that info that the dealer installed a new rad support on this tractor in the late '50's and the dealer installed a new SN tag after field stamping the customers old SN.